The Fund for Cancer Patients - Bright Future, National Cancer Hospital and Vinmec International Hospital and Vingroup’s Thien Tam Fund will provide early cancer screening and treatment for poor patients.

The move is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the four organisations today in Ha Noi.

Speaking at the event, Bright Future Fund Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Xuyen said that the meaningful programme will provide poor patients access to high-tech medical technologies as well as promote the community’s knowledge on cancer prevention.

Under the framework of the agreement, the four sides will promote their abilities and professional facilities and human resources to support cancer patients’ access to advanced technologies of cancer treatment as well as to promote community’s awareness on cancer prevention.

Thien Tam fund will donate VND10 billion (US$440,000) to the Bright Future Fund for early cancer screening and detection activities during 2017 and 2018. The National Cancer Hospital and the Bright Future Fund will select 300 cancer patients and 130 others who require tissue transplants for treatment at Vinmec Hospital.

Needy patients with liver, lung, breast and those needing liver transplants will be supported partly or wholly with regard to treatment expenses by the Thien Tam Fund.

“Vingroup will spend VND1.5 trillion through the Thien Tam Fund to provide treatment for patients with cancer, brain failure and other fatal diseases at Vinmec International Hospital in 2017,” said Vingroup Deputy President Le Khac Hiep at the signing ceremony.

“I believe that lives of many needy patients will be saved with collaboration of the health ministry, Bright Future Fund, National Cancer Hospital and Vinmec International Hospital,” Hiep said.

The donation was part of the VND1.5 trillion budget funded by Vingroup to help its Thien Tam Fund support needy and poor patients in 2017.

According to statistics of the World Health Organisation, Viet Nam reported 115,000 people who died from cancer annually, equivalent to 315 daily. The number of new cancer cases has increased from 68,000 in 2000 to 126,000 in 2010 and it is predicted to exceed 190,000 by 2020. — VNS